The effects of root zone temperature on plant development and the occurrence of hollow heart and brown streak necrosis in the potato

View/Open

Date

1977-04

Author

Hoehn, Erica L.

Type

Thesis

Degree Level

Masters

Abstract

The potato is considered to be one of the world's most
important vegetables with increased production occurring in
many countries. In Canada there are approximately 114,770
hectares devoted to potato production, 22,865 hectares of
which are in the three Western provinces. It is this latter
area which is most seriously affected by hollow heart, a
physiological disorder which has caused great economic
losses to potato growers during certain years.
It is not known what factor or factors are responsible
for hollow heart occurrence. Since 1973 the Department of
Horticulture Science at the University of Saskatchewan has
conducted fertilizer trials in the field and greenhouse, as
well as soil temperature studies in the greenhouse, to elucidate
possible causes of hollow heart. The present experiments
are a continuation of the effects of soil temperature
on this disorder.